head to head
vs
Horizon Zero DawnvsSong of the Deep
Horizon Zero Dawn leans Execution (Practiced Mastery); Song of the Deep leans Optimization (Practiced Mastery).
Horizon Zero DawnSong of the Deep
Axis by axis
Execution5 vs 4
Horizon Zero Dawn leans harder on execution: Bow aiming and dodge timing matter.
Reads1 vs 1
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance2 vs 2
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization5 vs 6
Song of the Deep leans harder on optimization: Environmental puzzles and upgrade routing carry the game
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.